On 5th December, Professor Melanie Leng was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list 2019.
Mel received the honour in recognition of her leadership of the National Environmental Isotope Facility, her research in environmental change, and training the next generation of environmental scientists.
Mel is a Professor of Isotope Geosciences (School of Biosciences) and Director of the Centre of Environmental Geochemistry — a collaboration between the university and the British Geological Survey. At the British Geological Survey, Mel is the Chief Scientist for Environmental Change, Adaptation and Resilience. She leads research focussed on several of the United Nations Strategic Development Goals, including, clean water and sanitation, sustainable cities and communities, climate action, life below water and life on land. Her challenge area also undertakes research on environmental resilience, especially understanding the capacity of our environment to respond to our rapidly changing world.
Commenting on her research, Mel said, "We are under enormous pressures due to population growth particularly in the cities, this is having an enormous impact the Earth, at a time when we are under a climate emergency. Climate change is forcing the increasing population to adapt to a warmer world, severe weather conditions and is putting enormous pressures on our resources. My current challenge is to lead research on developing ways we can adapt to environmental change and seeking to reduce the vulnerability of human infrastructure and life. These goals are especially important in developing countries, which will bear the brunt of our climate emergency”.
Congratulations to Mel for her hard work, dedication and years of service in environmental change science.
Notes to editors:
About the University of Nottingham
Ranked 32 in Europe and 16th in the UK by the QS World University Rankings: Europe 2024, the University of Nottingham is a founding member of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities. Studying at the University of Nottingham is a life-changing experience, and we pride ourselves on unlocking the potential of our students. We have a pioneering spirit, expressed in the vision of our founder Sir Jesse Boot, which has seen us lead the way in establishing campuses in China and Malaysia - part of a globally connected network of education, research and industrial engagement.
Nottingham was crowned Sports University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024 – the third time it has been given the honour since 2018 – and by the Daily Mail University Guide 2024.
The university is among the best universities in the UK for the strength of our research, positioned seventh for research power in the UK according to REF 2021. The birthplace of discoveries such as MRI and ibuprofen, our innovations transform lives and tackle global problems such as sustainable food supplies, ending modern slavery, developing greener transport, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
The university is a major employer and industry partner - locally and globally - and our graduates are the second most targeted by the UK's top employers, according to The Graduate Market in 2022 report by High Fliers Research.
We lead the Universities for Nottingham initiative, in partnership with Nottingham Trent University, a pioneering collaboration between the city’s two world-class institutions to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing for residents in the city and region we are proud to call home.
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